The 12th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini will raise the curtain on their 2025 campaign at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, welcoming the Western Illinois Leathernecks to town.
Bret Bielema’s squad rides in with the weight of expectation after a landmark 10-win season, punctuated by a statement 21-17 triumph over No. 14 South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl, a victory etched among the program’s finest postseason moments.
Western Illinois, meanwhile, endured a rocky 4-8 stretch last fall, though its offense showed enough flashes to suggest it won’t go quietly. With the spotlight firmly on the Illini, the Leathernecks enter with little to lose and the freedom to swing for an upset.
Here's what you need to know to watch Illinois vs. Western Illinois on Friday, including start time and TV channel.
What channel is Illinois vs. Western Illinois on today?
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: Peacock
Illinois vs. Western Illinois will air live exclusively on Peacock with Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Phil Simms (analyst), and Zora Stephenson (sideline reporter) on the call.
Illinois vs. Western Illinois start time
- Date: Friday, August 29
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Illinois vs. Western Illinois is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.
Illinois vs. Western Illinois radio station
- Radio channel: SiriusXM
Listen live to Illinois vs. Western Illinois live on SiriusXM via channel 195 (Illini broadcast).
New subscribers can enjoy SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Illinois 2025 football schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | vs. Western Illinois | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | at Duke | 12:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Western Michigan | 7:00 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | at Indiana | TBD |
| Sept. 27 | vs. USC (Homecoming) | TBD |
| Oct. 4 | at Purdue | TBD |
| Oct. 11 | vs. Ohio State | TBD |
| Oct. 18 | OFF | - |
| Oct. 25 | at Washington | TBD |
| Nov. 1 | vs. Rutgers | TBD |
| Nov. 8 | OFF | - |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Maryland | TBD |
| Nov. 22 | at Wisconsin | TBD |
| Nov. 29 | vs. Northwestern | TBD |
Western Illinois 2025 football schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 29 | at Illinois | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 5 | at Northwestern | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | vs. Valparaiso | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 20 | at Eastern Washington | 7 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | vs. Eastern Illinois | 4 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 | at Tennessee Tech | 1 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | at UT Martin | 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | vs. Charleston Southern | 4 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | at Tennessee State | 2:30 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | OFF | - |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Lindenwood | 2 p.m. |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Southeast Missouri State | 2 p.m. |
| Nov. 22 | at Gardner-Webb | 2:30 p.m. |